Stand Up To Cancer

On the heels of last week's good news - that US cancer rates are on the decline across the board - comes a less positive development. A new study indicates that the incidence of colorectal cancer has increased in 27 countries worldwide. Combined with previous studies linking a rise in colorectal cancer to economic transitions in developing nations, all the data seem to point to Westernization as the culprit. Steer clear of McDonald's!

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090609124608.htm

There's been a lot of hype surrounding antioxidants in recent years. Their cancer-fighting and general health-promoting properties have been extolled by everyone from top scientists in the field to Oprah. But new evidence indicates that antioxidant supplements might not be the healthiest choice for women battling breast cancer, as the pills may actually interfere with treatment. "The report is the latest to raise concerns about the large number of cancer patients turning to megadoses of vitamin and mineral supplements in hopes of boosting their health," notes Tara Parker-Pope of the NYT's Well Blog.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/worries-about-antioxidant-use-by-breast-cancer-patients/?hp

This piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights a not-often-discussed issue: the lack of women enrolled in clinical trials for cancer treatments. In an analysis of 661 prospective studies encompassing over a million participants, women accounted for just 37% of participants. "It's so important that women are appropriately represented in research," said one of the docs involved in the report. "We know there are biological differences between the sexes, as well as social and cultural differences. Studies need to be able to assess whether there are differences in responses to treatment."

http://www.ajc.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/-brn/627849.html

In the summertime, when the weather is hot, the news is full of articles on skin cancer risk. But this New York Times piece looks at an often neglected side of the issue. A reader writes in wondering whether people with dark skin should protect themselves differently. And a physician expert replies that skin cancer is on this rise among African-Americans, Latinos and Asians. "Because people with dark skin assume they are not at risk, these cancers frequently are not detected on self-exam," the doc cautions. "Nonetheless, dark skinned people should wear sun protection as part of their daily routine."

http://consults.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/dark-skin-sun-dangers-and-self-exams/

Finally, this AP article reports that fully 60% of cancer patients in the US use "nontraditional medicine" either as their only treatment or as a supplement to conventional medical treatment. The piece reports that many hospitals now offer aromatherapy, message, meditation, yoga and acupuncture to cancer patients - but as an accompaniment to treatment, not a replacement for it. But it cautions that cancer patients are particularly susceptible to false "cures" because of a desire to exercise some control over their disease. "There are no herbal or vitamin supplements that we know of that will specifically boost the immune system," said a dietician at Moffett Cancer Center.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h5RXjXRWlg4i8NXdjqeKl3xAb4YwD98MLRR01

That's it for this week, but I'll be back next Thursday with more news you can use!

--Cat